How Do Judges Determine Bond Amounts?

This issue has received lots of attention in California over the past year. Statewide, about half of county jail inmates are simply awaiting trial https://www.cgr.org/TompkinsCrimJust/docs/Trends-in-Jail-Population-and-Inmate-Characteristics.pdf. Pretty much everyone agrees that a large number of unsentenced inmates is a bad thing. But no one is exactly sure how to fix the problem either. Ending the cash bail system, which has worked pretty well for centuries, may not be the best option.

So, for now at least, questions like “how much is my bail” will continue to be common. In most cases, setting bail amount in Yuba City is basically a two-step process.

Initial Determinations

Typically, when law enforcement officers put people in the Sutter, Yuba, or Colusa County Jail, these inmates want to get out as soon as possible. Technically, judges must set bail amounts in all criminal cases. But the wheels of justice usually turn slowly. So, most jurisdictions have presumptive bail schedule amounts.

If a judge has not yet reviewed the case, in most cases, the presumptive amount automatically applies. The amount varies according to the type of infraction. But generally, presumptive bail amounts in California are around $750 for misdemeanors and $1,500 for low-grade felonies.

Special circumstances, such as the defendant’s criminal history and the facts of the case, often affect the presumptive amount. Additionally, in very serious felonies, like rape and murder, there may be no presumptive amount at all and a judge must review the file.

Bail Bond Shealy offers bonding services if you are unable to pay the full amount in cash, or even if you prefer to keep your bail lump sum cash in your own pocket and take advantage of the lowest bail premium rates allowed by law in California. Their experienced bondsmen can write a valid surety bond for a bail premium as low as 7%-9% and are a clearinghouse of information. If you have any questions about your Sutter County and beyond release conditions or other matters, your bondsman will probably have the answers.

Bail Bond Reconsideration Hearings

Typically, arrested individuals must see judges within about forty-eight hours. At the arraignment, the judge must inform the defendant of the charges and the reason for incarceration. At this same hearing, a judge may reconsider the bail amount based on a number of factors. Some of these factors include:

  • The bail schedule amount,
  • Defendant’s threat to the community,
  • Severity of the offense,
  • Defendant’s flight risk, and
  • The safety of crime witnesses and/or victims.

Based on these factors, and others, judges may reduce the bail amount as well. If you have questions about securing bail for you or your loved one or any questions about how bail bonds work, call Bail Bond Shealy at (530) 743-7000. Bail Bond Shealy has been serving the needs of Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Butte and Nevada counties for over 50 years. As a family owned and operated business, we take pride in helping others in their time of need.

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